Poster for the exhibition Black and White, 1913

In 1913 the painter and graphic artist Erwin Lang (1886–1962) acted as co-organizer of the international exhibition Black and White, for which he designed this poster. The venue for the presentation was the Akademischer Verband für Literatur und Musik [Academic Association for Literature and Music] situated at Opernring 19 in Vienna’s 1st district. Aside from this information, the poster features a fanciful architecture comprising various architectural elements, ranging from a Gothic lancet arch to the facade of a modern high-rise building. The central theme of this exhibition of graphic works was the esthetic effect of printing techniques. Erwin Lang won great renown in the medium of woodcuts. The palette, reduced to black and white, as well as the expressive power and simplicity of the line produce distinct reflections and powerful effects.

AK, 2021